“What?” Kaleb hisses. “Are you kidding me? I’ve never once complained when you bring a man or woman home. I never do this, and the first time I do, you complain?”
“That’s the thing, Kaleb,” Stacy hisses back. “You never let a guy stay the night. Are you sure? Is he pressuring you? I swear to all that is holy, if he is hurting you—”
“No, it’s not like that. He—uh. He—”
“He what? Has a magical dick?”
Kaleb giggles. “I don’t know, maybe?” That response makes me smile. Everything will be okay. I really should give them some privacy, though. Clearing my throat to alert them of my presence, I walk over to the edge of the kitchen.
Kaleb walks over to me, a worried look on his face. I chuckle low. “Maybe we can call you Mr. Sexy Worried too.”
“Only if you stay.” He pouts dramatically. Gods, even this facial expression is perfect. Fucking hell, I’m already so far gone for this man, it’s embarrassing.
“I’m just going to give you and your bestie some privacy to talk. I need to call my friend, Zero.” I lower my voice so only Kaleb can hear. “And your parents. They need to know you’re safe.”
Kaleb nods. “You aren’t leaving, though, right?”
“Nope. Not leaving without you,” I say in a teasing voice. This gets Kaleb to smile.
I begin to pull away, my phone already in hand, when Kaleb peers at Stacy from over his shoulder. Before I even realize what’s happening, Kaleb turns back, stands on his tiptoes, and presses a light, sexy kiss to my lips.
Stacy gasps.
Kaleb giggles.
And I make my way outside with a dopey grin on my face. Yeah. I’m totally screwed.
The crisp air is cold on my skin as I stand outside pacing back and forth, phone to my ear. Despite the icy chill, both my mer and my kraken sides can handle extremely cold temperatures. But just because I grew up in a mer pod deep in the ocean’s depths, doesn’t mean I like the cold.
“What do you mean, you and the Dumas heir have a connection?” Zero asks, voice stern. He might be retired from the Elite Guard, but I have a feeling it might take a long time for him to shrug off that take-charge warrior attitude. Once a leader, always a leader.
“That’s exactly what I said. Kaleb and I have a special connection.” I clear my throat, trying not to roll my eyes. Gods, why does it feel like I’m asking a parent’s permission? “I like him, Zero.”
Zero sighs. “I understand. But this puts us in a really awkward position. Autumn, Rook, and I recommended you to Lyra andEdwin. You’re the best tracker I’ve ever met. But if you’re fucking their son, they won’t be thrilled.”
“Gods, don’t fucking say it like that. We haven’t crossed that line.”
‘Yet.’My inner kraken helpfully supplies.
“Darius,” Zero growls. “You might have refused to take payment for this job, but you are still on a last-minute mission. You need to represent the Elite Guard. They don’t care if you’re retired. You are Elite for life.”
I grit my teeth, trying to calm my breathing. My tentacle tattoos ripple along my skin, ready to shift. Damn emotions. If I don’t settle down, there’s a good chance I’ll shift even if I don’t want to. I’ve already been on edge, thanks to my proximity to Kaleb.
“Are you listening to me? I’m serious, friend. You know I will always have your back, but unless Kaleb Dumas is your fated mate, you need to back off,” he says with finality.
There’s a long pause, and Zero is able to read my silence. He sucks in a deep breath. “Is Kaleb Dumas your fated mate?”
I swallow hard. “Yes,” I whisper.
“Fuck,” Zero whispers back. “Why didn’t you start off with that? Damn, Dare. I thought you were just screwing around. This is amazing news. Wonderful.”
The words get stuck in my throat. There’s no way I could have led with that.
“Darius?”
“I’m still here.” I clear my throat. “What if I’m not good enough for him?”
“Bullshit,” Zero barks.
